Unused medicines in homes pose an environmental hazard

Ezgi Elekarışmaz, President of the Adana Chamber of Pharmacists, called for unused and expired medicines in homes to be disposed of in waste bins at pharmacies to prevent them from mixing into the environment.

Disposal Process of Waste Medicines

Ezgi Elekarışmaz, President of the Adana Chamber of Pharmacists, emphasized that unused and expired medicines accumulated in homes must be disposed of using proper methods to prevent harm to the environment.

It was shared that these substances, collected in waste medicine bins located in pharmacies, are safely disposed of through municipalities.

Turkey and Europe Data

While it is known that the amount of household waste medicine per capita reaches serious figures in Europe, clear data cannot be reached in Turkey due to the system not being widespread enough.

Stating that the main goal of chambers of pharmacists is to spread this system nationwide, officials noted that it is estimated there are tons of waste medicines in Turkey.

Rational Drug Use Studies

It was stated that awareness-raising activities regarding rational drug use are being conducted in schools in order to reduce the amount of waste medicine.

It was pointed out that citizens should not keep unnecessary medicines in their homes, should track medicines correctly, and should procure only as much medicine as needed.

Citizen Sensitivity

Citizens who deliver the medicines they cannot use due to chronic illnesses to the collection box at the pharmacy instead of throwing them in the trash serve as an example.

It is stated that bringing excess and expired medicines to pharmacies without accumulating them at home is of great importance for the protection of nature.